An assembly of a frame component and a bungee component adapted for converting a trampoline into a bungee trampoline

ABSTRACT

An assembly of a frame component and a bungee component adapted for converting a trampoline into a bungee trampoline. The trampoline includes a sheet of fabric or canvas attached and distended to a frame having a perimeter and at least three legs distributed along the perimeter of the frame, each leg having an elongated straight leg part, the frame component including at least three frame poles and an circumferential upper frame, and each frame pole having an upper pole part with an upper pole end connected to the upper frame and a lower pole part with a lower pole end, the lower pole part of the frame poles is mounted to the elongated straight leg part of the legs by brackets so that the longitudinal axis of each of the frame pole is parallel and not coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the corresponding straight leg part.

The present invention relates to an assembly of a frame component and a bungee component adapted for converting a trampoline into a bungee trampoline, where the trampoline is of the kind having a sheet of fabric or canvas attached and distended to a trampoline frame having a perimeter and at least three trampoline legs distributed along the perimeter of the trampoline frame, and where each of these three trampoline legs has an elongated straight leg part, and where the frame component comprises at least three frame poles and an circumferential upper frame, and each frame pole has an upper pole part with an upper pole end connected to the circumferential upper frame and a lower pole part with a lower pole end.

The assembly of the present invention can convert a trampoline standing directly on the ground into a bungee trampoline, or it can, as will be explained later, convert an in-ground trampoline into a bungee trampoline. Unless otherwise stated, the term “trampoline” refers to a trampoline standing on the ground.

The shape of the trampoline frame of the trampoline to be converted into a bungee trampoline can be round, rectangular or another shape, as the assembly of the present invention can be mounted on a trampoline having any shape.

Within the present invention, the above-mentioned sheet of fabric or canvas attached to the trampoline frame could also be a bouncing mat or some other appropriate bouncing means attached to the trampoline frame.

The bungee component of the present invention can have many different forms, but typically comprises at least two bungee ropes extending from the circumferential upper frame or from the upper part of the frame poles to a bungee harness. The bungee component is typically adapted so that the resting position of the bungee harness is above the centre of the trampoline frame.

Bungee trampolines are mostly known from professional use at e.g. fairs, and have two major functions. The first function is to allow the user to perform more advanced acrobat manoeuvres and jump higher than on a standard trampoline that does not have a bungee harness and bungee ropes. The second function is to prevent the user from getting hurt, as the bungee harness and bungee ropes prevents the user from falling onto the ground or from hitting the bungee trampoline structure itself.

CN204972826 describes a bungee trampoline where a bungee harness is extending from two upwards extending posts. In order to provide the two posts with stability, the posts are not only attached to the legs of the trampoline frame and connected to each other by a telescopic rod at ground level, an additional stabilizing member is provided at ground level extending from the bottom part of each post and nailed to the ground, so that a cable can extend from the upper part of each post to the outer end of the corresponding stabilizing member and an inclined rod can extend between a middle part of each post to a middle part on the corresponding stabilizing member. All these means of stabilizing the two posts makes the bungee trampoline expensive to manufacture, and complex and time consuming to assemble, and the two posts are still able to bend towards and away from the trampoline frame when subjected to the forces of a user using the bungee trampoline. Also, if this bungee trampoline is used on a surface made of e.g. wood or concrete, the surface will be permanently damaged due to the stabilizing member being nailed into the ground.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,606 describes a bungee trampoline with a rectangular trampoline frame and trampoline legs, where the bungee harness extends from two upwards extending support poles. The support poles are not only stabilized by attaching the support poles to the trampoline frame and providing them with their own support legs, but also by connecting the support poles by a telescopic rod at ground level and by providing a pair of side braces extending from a middle part of each support pole to the trampoline frame. All these means of stabilizing the two support poles make the bungee trampoline expensive to manufacture, and complex and time consuming to assemble. Also, the user could potentially hit the upper horizontal rod that extends over the middle of the trampoline frame.

DE102005060405 describes a modular bungee trampoline structure with a rectangular trampoline frame, where a straight trampoline leg is provided at each corner of the trampoline frame. An upwards extending support pole is located on top of each trampoline leg in an end-to-end configuration, where a bungee harness is extending from the upper end of two of the support poles. The trampoline legs are stabilized by means of foot supports in the form of horizontal plates, and by means of a lower support frame with horizontal rods extending between the trampoline legs. The support poles are stabilized by means of an upper support frame with horizontal rods extending between the upper part of the support poles. Each trampoline leg has a substantially square cross-section with four vertical sides provided with grooves, so that each leg can be connected to two, three or four adjacent legs using the rods of the lower support frame, so that one modular bungee trampoline structure can have more than one bungee trampoline zone and the size of each zone can vary within the limitations of the components of the trampoline structure.

During use of a bungee trampoline, the weight and the jumping movements of the user result in forces exerted on the bungee trampoline structure to which the bungee ropes are attached. The magnitude and direction of said forces change during the jumping movements of the user, which means that said forces will try to bend the upwards extending poles in alternating directions, which mainly is in a direction towards the user in the centre of the trampoline.

Too high a degree of bending of the upwards extending poles are unwanted for a number of reasons, which include that the material of the poles are subjected to stress and strain, and that the desired elastic effect of the bungee ropes are reduced. It is also easier to control e.g. the acrobat manoeuvres of the user if the upwards extending poles are kept more stable, and such an increased control reduces the risk of the user getting hurt.

In a first aspect of the present invention is provided an assembly of a frame component and a bungee component to convert a trampoline into a bungee trampoline with a strong bungee trampoline structure.

In a second aspect of the present invention is provided an assembly of a frame component and a bungee component that can convert a trampoline of any shape and size into a bungee trampoline.

In a third aspect of the present invention is provided an assembly of a frame component and a bungee component to convert a trampoline into a bungee trampoline that can be used on a hard surface where it is not possible to penetrate the surface with e.g. nails.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention is provided a bungee trampoline without any components located above the user so that the risk of the user hitting any components of the bungee structure.

The novel and unique way whereby these aspects are achieved according to the present invention is that the lower pole part of each of the frame poles is mounted to the elongated straight leg part of an appropriate trampoline leg by means of brackets so that the longitudinal axis of each frame pole is parallel and not coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the corresponding straight leg part.

The lower pole part of each frame pole can be mounted to the straight leg part of the corresponding trampoline leg by means of one or more brackets. Although it is preferred to use two or more brackets for each pair of frame pole and corresponding trampoline leg, it is also possible to use only a single bracket, in which case said single bracket e.g. could be a bracket shaped so that it has a long extent in the direction along the longitudinal axis of said straight leg part.

The weak spot of a bungee trampoline structure, of the type where a trampoline has been converted into a bungee trampoline by means of an assembly of a frame component and a bungee component, is the connection between each frame pole and the corresponding elongated straight leg part of the corresponding trampoline leg.

The effect of positioning the lower pole part of each frame pole next to and parallel with said elongated straight leg part is not only that the connection between the frame poles and the trampoline is reinforced but also the freedom of movement of the frame pole in relation to the trampoline is greatly reduced.

Said connection is reinforced as said lower pole part and said straight leg part overlap in the vertical direction, which provides a stronger type of connection than if they e.g. were connected end-to-end.

The freedom of movement of each frame pole is not only reduced in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the lower pole part due to the bracket(s), but also in the horizontal direction towards and away from the elongated straight leg part of the trampoline leg.

Said reduced freedom of movement of each frame pole in the horizontal direction towards and away from the corresponding trampoline leg counteract the forces that the frame pole are subjected to when a user is using the bungee trampoline.

The up and down movements of a user of the bungee trampoline means that the bungee component exerts forces on the upper pole end of the frame poles, which forces includes horizontal forces in a direction towards and away from the centre of the trampoline. Such horizontal forces are counteracted by the above-mentioned reduced freedom of movement of the frame poles in said horizontal direction.

The strong connection between the frame poles and the trampoline legs provides the advantage that the entire bungee trampoline structure, especially the upper part of the frame component, is kept more stable compared to known assemblies for converting a trampoline into a bungee trampoline.

Said connection is also strong, because the circumferential upper frame maintains a fixed mutual distance between the upper pole ends of the frame poles so that the degree to which the frame poles bends back and forth is reduced.

The strong connection between the frame poles and the trampoline legs is thus obtained due to the combination of the stabilizing effect of the circumferential upper frame and the effect of the way the lower pole parts and the trampoline legs are positioned and connected to each other.

In addition, it is possible for the frame poles to be mounted to the trampoline legs so that their lower pole ends are resting on the surface on which the bungee trampoline is positioned, where the friction between the lower pole ends and the surface on which the bungee trampoline is positioned provides additional stability to the frame poles and thus to the frame component.

Because said connection of the present invention is strong, the structure of the bungee trampoline can be kept simple, which means that it e.g. is not necessary to have additional means of stabilizing the frame poles. The additional means that are avoided are such means as stabilizing rods extending between the lower part of the frame poles and/or between the trampoline legs, cables extending between the upper/middle part of the frame poles and the ground or trampoline frame, and special support plates under the trampoline legs.

The advantage of being able to keep the frame component sufficient stable without any of the additional means of stabilizing the frame poles that are used in the prior art, is that the production costs of the frame component can be reduced while maintaining a sufficient stable bungee trampoline structure. Also, the bungee trampoline is sufficient stable without having to use a stabilizing member being nailed into the ground, i.e. the bungee trampoline can be used without damaging the surface on which it is standing.

The most preferred embodiment of the present invention has an equal number (such as four) of trampoline legs and frame poles, in which case each trampoline leg is connected to a different frame pole. The legs of a trampoline are typically distributed evenly around the perimeter of the trampoline frame, which means that an assembly with the same number of frame poles as the number of trampoline legs can also be evenly distributed around the trampoline.

It is also possible for the present invention to comprise a lower number of frame poles than the number of trampoline legs, such as e.g. three frame poles and four trampoline legs, in which case it is preferred that the frame poles are distributed around the periphery of the trampoline frame with as high as possible distance between each other, in order to obtain the most strong and stable bungee trampoline structure.

Trampoline legs may have different shapes and dimensions, but are often U-shaped where the two free ends of each leg are attached to the perimeter of the trampoline frame so that there for each leg are two elongated straight leg parts extending downwards from the perimeter of the trampoline frame. It would thus be possible to mount two frame poles to each of such U-shaped trampoline legs. For any embodiment, the frame poles are preferably distributed evenly around the perimeter of the trampoline frame.

It is preferred that a first circle taken through the elongated straight leg parts of the trampoline legs connected to the frame poles has a smaller diameter than a second circle taken through the lower parts of said frame poles when the frame poles are mounted to the trampoline.

In other words, the frame poles are preferably mounted on the side of the straight leg parts facing away from the centre of the trampoline, which is the side that is most convenient for the person mounting the brackets that provide the actual connection between the legs and frame poles.

The elongated straight leg parts are preferably extending in a vertical direction from the perimeter of the trampoline frame towards the ground, so that the frame poles can be positioned on the exterior side of the trampoline frame, and preferably with direct physical contact between lower pole part and the matching elongated straight leg part.

In order to obtain a strong connection between the trampoline legs and the frame poles, the lower pole part of each frame poles preferably extends along the entire length of the straight leg part of the trampoline leg to which it is mounted, which has the advantage that it is possible to position a bracket at or close to a first end of the straight leg part and another bracket at or close to the other end of the straight leg part, i.e. two brackets as far as possible away from each other on the straight leg part. Said two bracket, possible supplemented with one or more brackets there between, provide a strong connection between the trampoline legs and the frame poles.

A connection between the trampoline legs and the frame poles of the same or even higher strength can also obtained by using a single bracket that has such a long extent that it extends along substantially the entire longitudinal length of said straight leg part.

By having the frame poles extending not only along a part of the straight leg part, but extending along the entire length of the straight leg part also has the advantage that the lower pole end of the frame poles is able to firmly rest on the ground surface, which e.g. could be asphalt, or some other hard or substantially hard surface.

The term “bracket(s)” refers to a mounting means adapted to secure the lower pole part of a frame pole to the straight leg part of a matching trampoline leg without weakening the frame pole or the trampoline leg. Thus, said mounting can be done without e.g. making holes in the frame poles or the trampoline legs.

Each of the brackets may be a U-bend tube having opposite bracket legs that delimits a gap for accommodating the parallel straight leg part of the trampoline legs and the lower pole part of the frame poles, the bracket legs of each bracket have free bracket leg ends for mounting of a clamp component for securing the parallel straight leg part of the trampoline leg and the lower pole part of the frame pole inside the gap.

The circumferential upper frame extends between the upper pole part of each of the frame poles, and the corners of said frame may be rounded. Using rounded corners instead of e.g. right-angled corners has the effect that the strength of the circumferential upper frame is increased, which means that the likelihood of the circumferential upper frame breaks during use of the bungee trampoline is reduced.

Using said rounded corners instead of e.g. right-angled corners can also be used for maintaining the strength of the circumferential upper frame while reducing the amount of material that said frame is made of, which means that the production costs of the frame component can be reduced.

In a preferred embodiment with four frame poles arranged in a rectangular configuration, each of the four corners of the circumferential upper frame may have rounded corners.

The bungee component may advantageously be detachable secured to the circumferential upper frame and/or the upper pole part of the frame component, so that the bungee component easily can be replaced if it e.g. is broken or if another kind of bungee component is desired.

The circumferential upper frame and/or the frame poles may be assembled of sub-elements, so that the dimensions of the frame component can be changed if desired, and so that a damaged sub-element can be replaced without having to replace the entire frame component.

Using frame poles made of sub-elements, especially if the lower part of each frame pole is one sub-element and the upper part of the frame pole is one or more sub-elements, makes it easy and quick to change the total length of the frame poles, by replacing one or more of the sub-elements with a sub-element(s) having another length, and thus transforms the bungee trampoline from being configured for a child to being configured for an adult that weighs more, or vice versa.

Using a circumferential upper frame made of sub-elements means that it e.g. is possible to change the size and dimensions of the circumferential upper frame by replacing one or more of its sub-elements, so that an assembly of the present invention can easily and quickly be transformed from being configured for a trampoline with a trampoline frame of a certain size and shape to another trampoline with a trampoline frame of a different size and/or shape, just by replacing one or more of the sub-elements of the circumferential upper frame with a sub-element(s) having another length.

Another advantage of using sub-elements is that the frame component in its un-assembled state does not take up much space, so that it is easier to store and transport.

In another preferred embodiment, the frame poles and/or the horizontal parts of the circumferential upper frame are telescopically length-adjustable, which is another way of obtaining the above-mentioned advantages of easily and quickly being able to change the length of the frame poles and/or change the size and shape of the upper frame.

As the bungee harness and bungee ropes prevent the user from hitting the bungee trampoline structure itself and especially prevent the user from falling onto the ground, a safety net is not necessary for preventing the user from getting hurt. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the frame component is not for supporting a safety net.

If the frame component were adapted to support a safety net, e.g. by means of hooks extending from the frame component, the result would be higher production costs for the frame component and an increase in the time necessary for converting a trampoline into a bungee trampoline using the assembly of the present invention. Also, the strength of the frame component would have to be increased in order to support the extra weight of said safety net and said hooks, which would mean increased costs for producing the frame component.

The bungee component of the present invention may advantageously comprise a bungee harness, where the vertical position of the bungee harness can be changed by means of e.g. a winch system, where each bungee rope extends from the bungee harness, via one or more winch pulleys attached to the circumferential upper frame or the upper part of one of the at least frame poles, and further down to a winch attached to said frame pole at an appropriate height so that it easily can be operated. The advantage is that it is easier, quicker and safer for a user to put the harness on or take it off, when the vertical position of the harness is lowered compared to the vertical height of the harness during jumping manoeuvres. Another advantage is that it is easy and quick to adapt the bungee component to users of different heights.

An in-ground trampoline is a trampoline where the trampoline frame and thus the bouncing sheet or fabric attached thereto are located substantially at ground level. The primary advantage of an in-ground trampoline is that a user falling off the trampoline will have a shorter falling distance to the ground compared to a trampoline standing on the ground.

An in-ground trampoline is typically installed by digging an appropriate hole, putting the trampoline into the hole, and lastly putting back some of the soil around the trampoline legs to help supporting the trampoline.

The trampoline legs of in-ground trampolines can have the same shape (e.g. U-shaped) and size as for standard trampolines standing on the ground, or they can e.g. have short legs in the form of rods extending straight into the ground.

The assembly of the present invention can be used to convert an in-ground trampoline into a bungee trampoline as long as the in-ground trampoline has at least three legs where each leg has at least one elongated straight leg part, so that the lower part of each of the at least three frame poles of the assembly of the present invention can be attached to a trampoline leg in the same way as for a trampoline standing on the ground.

If the length of the elongated straight leg part of each of the trampoline legs of an in-ground trampoline is so short (such as e.g. 10 cm) that there is not sufficient overlap between the straight leg part and the lower pole part to obtain a sufficient strong connection between each frame pole and the corresponding trampoline leg only by means of the one or more brackets and the parallel and coaxial positioning of the frame pole in relation to the straight leg part, the assembly of the present invention may be supplemented by an earth spike for each of the frame poles, where each earth spike is adapted for being driven into the ground at the intended location of the frame pole and for being fastened to the lower pole part of the frame pole. The frame component of such an in-ground bungee trampoline is kept sufficient stable by means of the combined effect of the earth spikes and the mounting of the frame poles to the trampoline legs.

The assembly according to the present invention with only three frame poles and thus a triangular shaped circumferential upper frame is cheaper to produce and easier to assemble with a trampoline than an assembly according to the present invention with four or more frame poles. On the other hand, an increased number of frame poles increases the strength of the assembly and thus the strength of the bungee trampoline, and provides extra safety to a user of the bungee trampoline. If the circumference of a trampoline to be converted into a bungee trampoline is small or the person using such a bungee trampoline is a child, then it could very well be sufficient to use the assembly according to the present invention with only three frame poles. On the other hand, if the circumference is large and/or the weight of the user is high, a larger number of frame poles is preferred in order for the assembly to be sufficient strong and stable. Naturally, other aspects such as the height of the frame poles the thickness of frame poles, the thickness of the rods of the circumferential upper frame, and the strength of the bungee ropes, also have an impact on the strength and stability of the assembly.

The frame component is preferably made of metal, such galvanized steel.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the assembly according to the invention with three frame poles, where the trampoline to which the assembly is mounted comprises four trampoline legs and is standing on the ground,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but with four frame poles,

FIG. 3 is a larger scale fractional view of the assembly and trampoline shown in FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of a part of the assembly shown in FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a larger scale fractional view of a part of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6, is a perspective view of corner element according to an embodiment of the present invention, where one bracket is shown in its fastened position and another bracket is shown in an exploded view,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the bracket and accompanying clamp component of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 8 illustrates an assembly according to the invention with four frame poles, where the trampoline to which the assembly is mounted is an in-ground trampoline and the assembly comprises earth spikes, and

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of one of the earth spikes and corresponding frame pole shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 1 shows an assembly (1) of a frame component (2) and a bungee component (3) that have been used to convert a trampoline (4) into a bungee trampoline. The trampoline (4) has a trampoline frame (5) from which a bouncing fabric (6) is attached using springs. The springs are covered by a protective cover (7) and thus not shown.

The trampoline (4) has four U-shaped trampoline legs (8) distributed along its perimeter (9), where only three of the legs are visible in FIG. 1. The trampoline is standing on the ground (10), which is shown as a lawn, but could just as well be a hard surface such as e.g. asphalt. Each leg (8) has two elongated straight leg parts (11) extending downwards from the perimeter (9) of the trampoline frame (5) to the ground (10), and a lower leg part (12) extending between the two straight leg parts (11) and resting on the ground (10).

The frame component (2) shown in FIG. 1 has three frame poles (13), where each frame pole (13) has an upper pole part (14) with an upper pole end (15), to which the circumferential upper frame (16) is attached.

Each frame pole (13) has a lower pole part (17), which is attached to respective trampoline legs (8), where each lower pole part (17) is mounted to an elongated straight leg part (11) by means of two brackets (18), where the brackets (18) are located at opposite ends of the elongated straight leg part (11) to provide a strong and firm connection between the frame component (2) and the trampoline (4).

Each frame pole (13) shown in FIG. 1, and also each frame pole (13) of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, is assembled of four of sub-elements, as the upper pole part (14) comprises three sub-elements (14 a, 14 b, 14 c) and the lower pole part (17) is a single sub-element. The frame poles of the present invention is not limited to being assembled of four sub-elements, as each frame pole in other embodiments could have a different number of sub-elements than four, or could be a single element.

Each frame pole (13) and the matching elongated straight leg part (11) of one of the trampoline legs (8) are connected so that the longitudinal axis (19) through the frame pole (13) and the longitudinal axis (20) through the straight leg part (11) of the leg (8) are parallel but not coaxial. The lower pole part (17) of each frame pole (13) extends along the entire length of the straight leg part (11) of the trampoline leg (8).

The circumferential upper frame (16) shown in FIG. 1 consists of three rounded corner elements (21) and three rods (22) extending between the corner elements.

Each corner element (21) consists of a rounded horizontal portion (23), a vertical portion (24) and a horizontal rail (25). The rounded horizontal portion (23) is connected with the two adjacent rods (22). The vertical portion (24) is connected to the upper pole part (14) of the frame pole (13). The horizontal rail (25) is located at inner side of the rounded portion (23).

The bungee component (3) consists a bungee harness (26), a winch (27), two bungee ropes (28), and four winch pulleys (29), where the two bungee ropes (28) extend between the bungee harness (26) and the winch (27) by means of the four winch pulleys (29). The winch pulleys (29) are attached to the horizontal rails (25) of the corner elements (21). Each bungee rope (28) consists of an elastic part (30) connected to a substantially non-elastic part (31) at a connection point (32), where the elastic part (30) extends from the bungee harness (26) to the connection point (32), and the substantially non-elastic part (31) extends from the connection point (32) up to the circumferential upper frame (16) and down to the winch (27).

The assembly (1′) shown in FIG. 2 is very similar to the assembly (1) shown in FIG. 1, and the trampoline (4) shown in FIG. 2 is the same as the trampoline (4) shown in FIG. 1.

The difference between the frame component (2) shown in FIG. 1 and the frame component (2′) shown in FIG. 2 is that the one shown in FIG. 1 has a triangular shape with three frame poles (13), three corner elements (21), and three rods (22) extending between the corner elements (21), whereas the one shown in FIG. 2 has a rectangular shape with four frame poles (13), four corner elements (21′), and four rods (22) extending between the corner elements (21′).

There is also a small difference between the corner elements (21, 21′) of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as will be described in connection with FIGS. 5-7.

The configuration of the bungee components (3; 3′) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are also different, as there is a winch pulley (29) at all three corner elements (21) in FIG. 1, whereas there is only a winch pulley (29) at three out of the four corner elements (21′) in FIG. 2.

The configuration of the bungee component (3) shown in FIG. 1 is a preferred configuration for assemblies according to the present invention with a triangular upper frame. The configuration of the bungee component (3′) shown in FIG. 2 is a preferred configuration for assemblies according to the present invention with a rectangular upper frame.

FIG. 3 shows a larger scale view of the connection between the lower pole part (17) and the elongated straight leg part (11), where it is easier to see how the lower pole part (17) is positioned next to the straight leg part (11), and how they are connected to each other by means of the brackets (18).

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the circumferential upper frame (16′) and the bungee component (3′) of the embodiment in FIG. 2, but seen from above so that its shape and functions, as well as the configuration of the bungee component (3′), are clearly seen. For illustrative purposes, the uppermost sub-element (14 c) of the frame poles (13) are also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Each corner element (21; 21′) of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a rounded horizontal portion (23; 23′), a vertical portion (24; 24′) and a horizontal rail (25; 25′). The rounded horizontal portion (23; 23′) is connected to the two adjacent rods (22). The vertical portion (24; 24′) is connected to the uppermost sub-element (14 c) of the frame pole (13). The horizontal rail (25; 25′) is located at inner side of the rounded portion (23; 23′).

The difference between the corner elements (21, 21′) of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is that the angle between the free ends (40, 41) of the rounded horizontal portion (23′) of the embodiment of FIG. 2 is 90° due to the rectangular shape of the circumferential upper frame (16′), whereas the corresponding angle of the corner elements (21) of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is 60° due to the triangular shape of the circumferential upper frame (16). For other embodiment of the assembly of the present invention, where the number of frame poles are higher than four, the circumferential upper frame will have a polygonal shape and the angle between the free ends of the corner elements of such embodiments depends on the shape of the circumferential upper frame.

The size of the angle between the free ends (40, 41) of the corner elements (21; 21′) also effect the length of the horizontal rail (25; 25′), but otherwise the corner elements (21; 21′) of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are the same.

The rods (22) extending between the corner elements (21; 21′) of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are telescopic rods (22), which has the advantage that the size and dimensions of the circumferential upper frame (16; 16′) can be easily be changed without the need for rods with different lengths.

Each telescopic rod (22) consists basically of two hollow tubes with different radii, where the tube with the smaller radius is partly inserted into the other tube in a slidingly manner, and when the desired length of the rod (22) is obtained, the two tubes are fastened together by means of a number of fastening holes (38) in said two tubes and corresponding fastening screws (39).

FIG. 6 shows the corner element (21′) of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, where each corner element (21′) is provided with two fastening holes (42) at both free ends (40, 41). For each corner element (21′) the diameter of the free ends (40, 41) is different and adapted so that the tube with the smaller diameter is able to slide into the free end (40) with the larger diameter, and the tube with the higher diameter is able to slide over the free end (41) with the smaller diameter, where after the rods (22) are fastened to the corner element (21′) by means of fastening holes (42) in the corner element (21′), matching fastening holes (38) at each end of the rod (22), and corresponding fastening screws (43). The fastening screws (43) for fastening the corner elements (21′) and the rods (22) are best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The corner element (21) of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is the same as the corner element (21′) shown in FIG. 6 except that the angle between the free ends of the rounded horizontal portion (23) is 60°.

FIG. 7 shows that the bracket (18) has a U-bend tube (33) with two opposite bracket legs (34) that delimits a gap (35) for accommodating the parallel straight leg part (11) of the trampoline leg (8) and the lower pole part (17) of the frame pole (13), where the bracket legs (34) have free bracket leg ends (36) for mounting of a clamp component (37) for securing the parallel straight leg part (11) to the lower pole part (17) inside the gap. The bracket (18) and accompanying clamp bracket (37) of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is the same as the bracket (18) and clamp component (37) of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 8 shows an in-ground trampoline (4′) that has been converted into an in-ground bungee trampoline by means of the same assembly (1′) as the one shown in FIG. 2. The only difference between the bungee trampolines shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 is the way that the frame poles are connected to the trampoline legs, the location of the winch and the additional earth spikes (44).

The four short trampoline legs (8″) of the in-ground trampoline shown in FIG. 8 are straight rods extending into the ground (10), and the lower part (17) of each frame pole (13) is mounted to a trampoline leg (8″) by means of an earth spike (44) and a single bracket (18). Each earth spike (44) that has been driven into the ground (10) just below the intended location of the frame pole (13). As seen in FIG. 9, each earth spike (44) comprises a lower tapered part (45) for facilitating the inserting into the ground (10), and an upper tube-shaped part (46) with a diameter adapted so that the lower pole part (17) can slide into the tube-shaped part (46). Each earth spike (44) is fastened to the corresponding frame pole (13) by means of fastening holes (47) in the upper tube-shaped part (46), matching fastening holes (49) in the lower end of the lower pole part (17), and corresponding fastening screws (48). The lower tapered part (45) and the upper tube-shaped part (46) can be made as two metal units that subsequently are welded together. The earth spike (44) could also be made as a single unit of e.g. metal or some other appropriate material.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, each earth spike (44) is mounted to the matching trampoline leg (8″) by means of a bracket (18), where the trampoline leg (8″) and the upper tube-shaped part (46) are accommodated inside the gap (35) of the bracket (18).

It is thus not only the connection between the lower pole parts (17) and the trampoline legs (8″) that provides the assembly (1′) with sufficient strength and stability to be used as a bungee trampoline, but also the use of the earth spikes (44). 

1.-10. (canceled)
 11. An assembly of a frame component and a bungee component adapted to convert a trampoline into a bungee trampoline, wherein the trampoline is of the kind having a sheet of fabric or canvas attached and distended to a trampoline frame having a perimeter and at least three trampoline legs distributed along the perimeter of the trampoline frame, with each trampoline leg having an elongated straight leg part, the frame component comprising at least three frame poles and an circumferential upper frame, and each frame pole having an upper pole part with an upper pole end connected to the circumferential upper frame, and a lower pole part with a lower pole end, and wherein the lower pole part of the frame poles is adapted for mounting the assembly to an elongated straight leg part of the trampoline legs of the trampoline by brackets so that the longitudinal axis of each frame pole is parallel and not coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the corresponding straight leg part of the trampoline.
 12. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein a first circle taken through the elongate straight leg parts of the trampoline legs connected to the frame poles has a smaller diameter than a second circle taken through the lower parts of the frame poles when said frame poles are mounted to the trampoline.
 13. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein each lower pole part extends along the entire length of the straight leg part of the corresponding trampoline legs when said frame poles are mounted to the trampoline.
 14. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the brackets are adapted to secure the lower pole part of the frame poles to the straight leg part of the trampoline legs without the need of making holes in the straight leg part of the trampoline legs when said frame poles are mounted to the trampoline.
 15. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein one bracket comprises a U-bend tube having opposite bracket legs that delimits a gap for accommodating the parallel straight leg part of the trampoline legs and the lower pole part of the frame poles, the bracket legs of the one bracket having free bracket leg ends for mounting of a clamp component for securing the parallel straight leg part of the trampoline leg and the lower pole part of the frame pole inside the gap when said frame poles are mounted to the trampoline.
 16. An assembly of a frame component and a bungee component adapted to convert a trampoline into a bungee trampoline, wherein the trampoline is of the kind having a sheet of fabric or canvas attached and distended to a trampoline frame having a perimeter and at least three trampoline legs distributed along the perimeter of the trampoline frame, with each trampoline leg having an elongated straight leg part, the frame component comprising at least three frame poles and an circumferential upper frame, and each frame pole having an upper pole part with an upper pole end connected to the circumferential upper frame, and a lower pole part with a lower pole end, wherein the circumferential upper frame extends between the upper pole part of each of the frame poles and the corners of said frame are rounded, and wherein the lower pole part of the frame poles is adapted for mounting the assembly to an elongated straight leg part of the trampoline legs of the trampoline by brackets so that the longitudinal axis of each frame pole is parallel and not coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the corresponding straight leg part of the trampoline.
 17. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein the upper frame comprises a rounded corner element at each corner of said frame and a rod extending between each pair of adjacent corner elements, where each corner element has a rounded horizontal portion connected with the two adjacent rods, a vertical portion connected to the upper end of the frame pole, and a horizontal rail located at the inner side of the rounded portion.
 18. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the circumferential upper frame and/or the frame poles is/are assembled of sub-elements.
 19. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the frame poles and/or the horizontal parts of the circumferential upper frame are telescopically length-adjustable.
 20. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the frame component is not for supporting a safety net.
 21. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the assembly further comprises an earth spike for each of the at least three frame poles, where each earth spike is adapted for being driven at least partly into the ground at the intended location of the frame pole and for being fastened to the lower pole part of the frame pole.
 22. A method for converting a trampoline into a bungee trampoline using the assembly according to claim 11, which comprises: attaching the upper pole part of the at least three frame poles to the upper frame, and mounting the lower pole part of the at least three frame poles to an elongated straight leg part of the trampoline legs of the trampoline by means of brackets so that the longitudinal axis of each frame pole is parallel and not coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the corresponding straight leg part of the trampoline.
 23. The method according to claim 22, which further comprises detachably securing the bungee component to the upper frame and/or to the upper pole part of the frame component. 